Carlsbad girls soccer coach Misty Long honored by New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame
Misty Long has helped make the Carlsbad girls soccer program relevant state wide in recent years, including a state championship, a runner-up finish and another state semifinal appearance.
The state of New Mexico has certainly taken notice. The Cavegirls coach had already been recognized in recent years by the New Mexico Coaches Association. But now the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame has honored her.
Long has been named the New Mexico Coach of the Year by the Hall of Fame and she will be recognized at the annual awards banquet on Aug. 20 at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
"I'm humbled by this honor," Long said. "I have so much support from my family, I have great assistant coaches, I have great support at the school and from the parents. The kids are amazing and it's really an award for all of us."
Long is a 1993 graduate of Carlsbad, where she played goalkeeper for the Cavegirls. But the last few years have been special. In 2019, the team got past the quarterfinals of the state playoffs for the first time. In the spring of 2021, the Cavegirls won a state title after the season was moved due to the COVID pandemic. Last year, the Cavegirls finished second.
"It's been fun to see the girls elevate their game," said Long, who is entering her 15th year as coach of the girls soccer program. "It's been awesome to see soccer come so far and the girls girls have been willing to listen. The credit goes to the players. We have kids who play multiple sports and only have a couple of kids who play club soccer. If they don't do it, we don't have the success."
Long said this year's Cavegirls squad should once again contend to be a state title contender with several players returning from last year's team.
"I'm looking forward to the season," she said. "Last year, our kids really showed a great deal of persistence. We had some injuries, but still found a way to have a great run in the state tournament."
Carlsbad senior-to-be Aislenn Whitzel said Long has certainly worked hard to earn this award.
"Coach connects will with us and that benefits as both as a team and individually," said Whitzel, who plays center back on the right side. "She really cares for each player and wants all of us to be the best we can be. We have a strong bond as a team and we want to be successful for the coaches, especially coach Long."
More: Soccer coach wins award https://www.currentargus.com/story/sports/2021/07/17/carlsbad-cavegirls-misty-long-repeats-nm-coach-year/7986422002/
Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 915-546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Carlsbad girls soccer coach Misty Long honored by New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame
